IEBC Commissioner Says Political Attacks Could Undermine 2027 Election Credibility

IEBC Commissioner Moses Atulala said continued political attacks on the commission risk undermining public confidence and preparing the ground for rejection of the 2027 General Election results. AllAfrica reported that Atulala made the remarks during a Wednesday morning interview on NTV. He stated that protecting the commission's credibility serves all Kenyans rather than the institution alone.

"It is not in the interest or benefit of the IEBC that the commission looks good. It is in the interest of all Kenyans," Atulala said. He added that daily attacks would leave both winners and losers facing legitimacy challenges after the vote.

Atulala noted the IEBC is working with the National Police Service and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to address electoral offences and penalise incitement. The commissioner referenced earlier comments by the IEBC chairperson on violence during the Ol Kalou by-election. He quoted the chairperson as saying calm daytime conditions give way to "madness" at night.

Atulala urged Kenyans to deny votes to politicians who inflame divisions. "If Kenyans decide to punish politicians who deliberately inflame the country, promote tribalism or seek to divide communities by denying them votes, they will quickly learn that such politics no longer pays," he said.

Residents of Ol Kalou are scheduled to vote in the by-election, which observers view as an early test of the national political climate.